Multi-Region Imaging Systems

ABSTRACT

An imaging system includes optics foi foiming an optical image, that provide a first region m the optical image that is charactenzed by a fust range of best focus and a second region in the optical image that is characterized by a second range of best focus The first and second ianges correspond to object distance ranges that are discontiguous A sensor array converts the optical image to a data stream, and a digital signal processor processes the data stream to generate a final image.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/953,998, filed Aug. 4, 2007, entitled MULTI-REGION IMAGING SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, and to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/056,730, filed May 28, 2008, MULTI-REGION IMAGING SYSTEMS. All of the above-identified patent applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Traditional imaging systems are commonly designed so that the final image quality is high over a narrow region of object space; for example, objects located over a narrow range of object conjugate distances may be imaged by the traditional imaging system to form an in-focus image. The depth of this narrow region of the object space is determined by the depth of field of the system. More recent imaging systems may employ non-traditional imaging designs and techniques that allow an increased depth of field compared to classical systems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,371, entitled EXTENDED DEPTH OF FIELD OPTICAL SYSTEMS issued 5 May 1998, discloses imaging systems configured to provide an increased depth of field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An imaging system includes optics for forming an optical image that provide a first region in the optical image that is characterized by a first range of best focus and a second region in the optical image that is characterized by a second range of best focus. The first and second ranges correspond to object distance ranges that are discontiguous. A sensor array converts the optical image to a data stream, and a digital signal processor processes the data stream to generate a final image.

In an imaging system including imaging optics and a sensor array, an improvement includes an optical element within the imaging system and intersecting at least a portion of electromagnetic energy incident on the sensor array. The optical element cooperates with the imaging optics and the sensor array to form a first image portion and a second image portion from the electromagnetic energy. The first image portion is in focus over a first conjugate distance range and the second image portion being in focus over a second conjugate distance range. The two conjugate distance ranges are separated by at least 40 cm.

In a method of imaging utilizing imaging optics and a sensor array, an improvement includes configuring the imaging optics such that electromagnetic energy transmitted through the imaging optics and incident on the sensor array forms an image that is in focus over at least two conjugate distance ranges for two respective portions of the image. The two conjugate distance ranges are separated by at least 40 cm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings briefly described below. It is noted that, for purposes of illustrative clarity, certain elements in the drawings may not be drawn to scale.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show possible application scenarios suitable for use with a multi-region imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a multi-region imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate an analysis and design approach for configuring a multi-region imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a plot of an exemplary one dimensional exit pupil phase profile, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a plot of an ambiguity function for a diffraction-limited imaging system.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show plots of ambiguity functions for a cubic phase imaging system and a multi-region imaging system, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of an exemplary imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a plot of a through-focus MTF curve for the exemplary imaging system of FIG. 12 without a specialized phase surface.

FIG. 14 shows a surface sag plot of one example of design of an aspheric surface of the imaging system of FIG. 12, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a plot of a through-focus MTF curve for the exemplary imaging system of FIG. 12, this time including the aspheric surface specified in FIG. 14, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 16-19 show polychromatic MTF curves for the system of FIG. 12 including the aspheric surface of FIG. 14 at different conjugate distances, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 20-24 include polychromatic MTF curves of the same system as those related to FIGS. 16-19, but which has been optimized to also provide adequate imaging at 25 cm conjugate distance, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 25 illustrates another example of an aspheric surface suitable for use in the system of FIG. 12, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 26 shows the through-focus MTF for an imaging system of FIG. 12 modified to utilize the surface of FIG. 25, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 27-30 show polychromatic MTF curves related to the system of FIG. 12 utilizing the surface of FIG. 25, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 31 shows another example of a multi-region imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 32 shows a plot of the polychromatic through-focus MTF curve of the system designed in accordance with TABLES 6 and 7, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 33-35 show monochromatic through-focus MTF curves of the system designed in accordance with TABLES 6 and 7, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 36-39 show polychromatic MTF curves at various conjugate distances for the system designed in accordance with TABLES 6 and 7, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 40 shows a block diagram of a multi-region imaging system including sub-wavelength features, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 41 shows an example of a sub-wavelength feature profile suitable for use with a multi-region imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 42 shows an ambiguity function related to the combination of a diffraction-limited imaging system and the sub-wavelength features of FIG. 41, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 43 shows a surface sag according to the prescription summarized in TABLE 8, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 44 shows a polychromatic through-focus MTF for a system including the surface of FIG. 43.

FIGS. 45-48 show the MTF curves at a variety of object distances for the multi-region imaging system including the surface sag of FIG. 43, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 49 shows the perspective of a forward-looking imaging system as seen from the inside of an automobile, in a similar scenario as described in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 50 shows a block diagram of a spatially varying multi-region imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 51 shows a block diagram of an exemplary spatially-varying multi-region imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 52-55 show the polychromatic diffraction MTF curves for the spatially-varying multi-region imaging system of FIG. 51, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 56 shows the through-focus MTF curves for the spatially-varying multi-region imaging system of FIG. 51, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 57-62 illustrate different aperture configurations for the multi-region imaging system of FIG. 51.

FIGS. 63-75 illustrate a variety of different assembly configurations for the multi-region imaging system of FIG. 51.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

While the depth of field of an imaging system may be increased using different techniques, certain limitations may exist. For example, the height of a modulation transfer function (“MTF”) at a particular spatial frequency over a range of conjugate distances (also known as a “through-focus MTF”) is a quantity related to image quality achievable by an imaging system. (Note, throughout this application the term “conjugate distance” is meant in the sense of object conjugate distance.) For a given application, a designer of the imaging system may not arbitrarily set the height of the through-focus MTF, since a maximum value of the MTF at a particular conjugate distance is determined by a diffraction-limited MTF. While the through-focus MTF curve for a traditional imaging system generally includes one peak at a particular conjugate distance and drops to nearly zero away from the peak, the through-focus MTF curve for an extended depth of field imaging systems may have a non-zero value over a range of conjugate distances. In extended depth of field imaging systems, the height of through-focus MTF (and/or light gathering ability of the imaging system) may also drop relative to that of the diffraction-limited system.

A mathematical approach to understanding the aforementioned through-focus MTF drop with increased depth of field is to consider a general monochromatic exit pupil phase function P(x) for a given aperture, where:

|P(x)|=1 within the aperture,  Eq. (1)

and

P(x)=0  Eq. (2)

outside of the aperture.

The through-focus MTF for a particular spatial frequency may be given by the equation:

Through−focus MTF(ω)=|Fourier Transform(P(x−a)P(x+a)*)|,  Eq. (3)

where a is a constant related to the particular spatial frequency ω and * denotes complex conjugate. From Parseval's theorem, it is known that the sum of the squared magnitude of two signals related by Fourier Transform are equal. In other words, for a particular spatial frequency ω, the sum of the squared through-focus MTF values is equal for all imaging systems that meet the definitions above. Consequently,

ΣThrough−focus MTF(ω)²=constant  Eq. (4)

for all P(x).

The consequence of the above mathematical description is that the height of the through-focus MTF over a range in object or image space (e.g., over a range of conjugate distances) is limited. That is, increasing a range of clear imaging in object space leads to a reduction in height of the MTF. This same concept, in the context of an ambiguity function, is also called “conservation of ambiguity”.

In order to overcome the aforedescribed limitations and to meet the needs of advanced applications, various embodiments of multi-region imaging systems are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, a multi-region imaging system is a single aperture imaging system that is configured for providing good imaging performance at two or more spatial regions (e.g., in conjugate distance, image region or both) in a single exposure. The multi-region imaging system may be implemented as having, for instance, a monochromatic exit pupil, a polychromatic exit pupil, a polarization-dependent exit pupil or polarization-dependent image plane, or a combination thereof. The multi-region imaging system may also be connected with a processor for performing one or more of forming a human viewable image, transmitting captured image data to another location, and processing the captured image data to perform a task. Such processor may utilize information of optics forming the two or more spatial regions to process each region so as to provide a clear image of each region.

There are various applications of imaging systems where good low light performance and clear imaging over a large range of object distances are desired. One example is shown in FIG. 1, which illustrates desired imaging characteristics for a mobile phone camera. FIG. 1 shows a scenario 10, in which a mobile phone camera 20 may be required to provide good performance in near field imaging, such as imaging a barcode 30, as well as far field imaging, such as imaging a portrait subject 40 at a distance of ½ meter or more. That is, it would be desirable to obtain sharp imaging of objects from infinity to portrait distance as well as very close imaging, on the order of 10 to 12 cm from the camera, for reading and decoding near objects such as barcodes and business cards. Additionally, good low light imaging performance in such a mobile phone camera may be achieved by using fast lenses (e.g., ≦F/2.0). The use of fast lenses generally translates to decreased depth of field and increased close focus distance with clear infinity imaging. Specifically, increasing the speed of the lenses to F/2 and faster may either move the close focus conjugate distance far from the close focus desired distance, or unacceptably decrease the image quality. The embodiments herein help alleviate such reductions in image quality and other problems.

Another example of an application requiring good low light performance and clear imaging over a large range of object distances is in automotive imaging systems, such as illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a scenario 50, in which an automobile 60 approaches a street sign 70. Automobile 60 may include a camera 75 for capturing images of objects outside of the automobile. Camera 75 may be used in forward looking imaging systems for object recognition, for example, to recognize street signs, pedestrians and lane demarcation lines. Camera 75 may be further connected with a processor 80, which may perform functions such as object recognition on images captured by camera 75. While a human-viewable image is not always necessary for object recognition, capturing information may be desirable at times for objects far from camera 75 (e.g., objects located at infinity) for use in, for instance, a task-based image capture and processing application. Additionally, it may be desirable in some situations for the imaging system to be capable of directly imaging at near field distances, such as a windshield 85 of automobile 60; for instance, near field imaging may be integrated into activation of rain sensors and/or to warn a driver when windshield 85 is dirty. Processor 80 may be further connected with a central computer 90 of automobile 60 so as to effect certain actions by automobile 60 in reaction to detected triggers, such as activation of windshield wipers in the case of rain. Due to automobile design constraints, the distance from camera 75 to windshield 85 may be as little as 5 cm in some automobiles. As in the mobile phone application of FIG. 1, the use of fast lenses in camera 75 may improve low light performance, although the close focus conjugate distance may be increased as a result.

An exemplary block diagram of an exemplary multi-region imaging system is shown in FIG. 3. A multi-region imaging system 300 includes multi-region optics 310, a sensor 320 and a processor 325. Multi-region optics 310 may include, for example, specialized optics for imaging both a near object 330 and a far object 335 in one image onto sensor 325. Sensor 320 captures the image so as to generate image data 315 in accordance with the captured image. Processor 325 may implement image signal processing (“ISP”) to act on image data 315, for instance, to produce a human-viewable image 340 or a processed result 345 related to a task, such as reading and decoding a barcode, business card or street sign. Processor 325 may utilize information of multi-region optics 310 to optimize processing of each region to produce a clear image for each region. Optionally, multi-region imaging system 300 may be configured to simultaneously produce both human-viewable image 340 and task-related result 345, as will be further described hereinafter.

The operational concepts behind the multi-region imaging system, such as multi-region imaging system 300, are described in conjunction with FIGS. 4-12. For simplicity, one-dimensional optics are considered in these figures, assuming incidence of parallel light rays from infinity on one side of each lens (from the left side of each figure). Consider the ray-based drawings of a traditional imaging system 400 of FIG. 4 and an extended depth of field (“EDoF”) imaging system 500 as shown in FIG. 5. Traditional imaging system 400 includes optics 410 with an optic axis 412 configured for focusing incident rays 415, from the left hand side of FIG. 4, at a plane of best focus 420, which is indicated in FIG. 4 as a dot-dash line to the left of optics 410. Traditional imaging system 400 has essentially one plane of best focus; that is, parallel rays 415 through all portions of optics 410 generally come to a focus at the same plane 420. In contrast, EDoF imaging system 500 includes a combination of optics 410 with a phase modifying element 510; one suitable example of phase modifying element 510 is a phase mask, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,371 by Cathey, et al., entitled “Extended depth of field optical systems” (hereinafter, “the '371 patent”). The combination of optics 410 and phase modifying element 510 is configured such that incident rays 415 are imaged to an extended imaging region 520 (as indicated by a bracket) over a range of image distances or, in other words, planes of best focus. The planes of best focus may be contiguous such that the depth of field provided by EDoF imaging system 500 is extended over a range of imaging or conjugate distances, thereby resulting in an extended depth of field imaging system.

For example, for an extended depth of field imaging system including a cubic phase function for modifying the wavefront of electromagnetic energy transmitted therethrough (such as that described in the '371 patent), the monochromatic exit pupil phase function of the resulting imaging system is given by a one-dimensional phase function P(x) as a function of x:

P(x)=exp(jαx ³)  Eq. (5)

within the aperture, where α is a constant and j=√{square root over (−1)}, and

P(x)=0  Eq. (6)

outside of the aperture. That is, the phase modification imposed on the wavefront of incident rays 415 by the combination of optics 410 and phase modifying element 510 in this case is αx³. The second derivative of this phase modification is an expression approximating the focal length across the exit pupil as a function of position:

Focal Length≈α*6x.  Eq. (7)

In other words, the cubic phase modification provided by the presence of phase modifying element 510 in EDoF imaging system 500 results in an approximately linear focal length change across the exit pupil.

One way to consider the effects of phase modifying element 510 in EDoF imaging system 500 is to regard phase modifying element 510 as being composed of a plurality of small optics segments, such as shown in FIG. 6, with the focal lengths of these lenses linearly changing across the aperture in accordance with the expression α*6x as derived above. In the example shown in FIG. 6, an EDoF imaging system 600 includes a phase modifying element 610, which is formed from a plurality of optics segments 612A-612F. The combination of phase modifying element 610 and optics 410 provides a linearly changing focal length in accordance with the expression α*6x, thereby providing the equivalent extended depth of field effect as that provided by the combination of phase modifying element 510 with optics 410, as shown in FIG. 5, assuming the number of optics segments 612 is large enough so that the height of each of the steps among segments 612A-612F is, for example, on the order of a wavelength or less. In other words, the combination of phase modifying element 610 and optics 410 images over an extended imaging region 620 (as indicated by a bracket) over a range of imaging distances that is equivalent to extended imaging region 520 provided by the combination of phase modifying element 510 and optics 410, as shown in FIG. 5.

While six optics segments 612A-612F are shown in FIG. 6, more or fewer optics segments may be used in a given EDoF imaging system. A designer of an EDoF imaging system may consider optics segments 612A-612F having dimensions on the order of approximately a wavelength of incident illumination of interest, such that a finite number of optics segments would be used in approximating the performance of EDoF imaging system 600. In such a consideration, the EDoF imaging system may be conceptually regarded as partitioning incident rays with optics segments 612A-612F, wherein each optics segment has a focal length that approximately focuses at a particular region along a range of imaging distance. Having extended depth of field means that fewer optics segments may be used to image any one point of an object. Conversely, having a reduced depth of field means that each point of the object is imaged using more of these optics segments. Another way to view this situation is, as more of these optics segments are used to image each point of a given object, then a height of a resulting through-focus modulation transfer function (“MTF”) for these object points will increase; on the other hand, as fewer optics segments are used to image each object point, the height of the resulting through-focus MTF for these points will decrease. It should be noted that this description is a simplified, one-dimensional first order approximation of the present system and should be considered illustrative only.

Rather than requiring imaging over a broad range of imaging distances, the multi-region imaging system may be configured to simultaneously image objects located at specific, possibly non-adjacent regions in the object space. For example, these non-adjacent regions may not be contiguous in object space. As a result, a multi-region imaging system may exhibit higher MTF heights and simpler configurations compared to prior imaging systems, as will be further discussed immediately hereinafter.

Consider the multi-region imaging system shown in FIG. 7. Instead of requiring that the combination of optics image objects along a broad range of imaging distances, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each portion of the imaging system aperture is used to image only a specific region in object space. In the example shown in FIG. 7, a multi-region imaging system 700 includes a phase modifying element 710, including a plurality of optics segments 712A-712D. Optics segments 712Λ and 712B are configured to cooperate with optics 410 so as to image in a near region 720 (as indicated by a bracket) over a range of near imaging distances. Optics segments 712C and 712D are configured to cooperate with optics 410 so as to image in a far region 725 (as indicated by another bracket) over a range of far imaging distances. Certain conjugate distances in object space may fall into a “don't care” region 730 that does not need to be imaged. Due to the finite total MTF limitation described earlier, having distinct object regions and/or “don't care” regions allows higher through-focus MTF heights for those object regions of interest, specifically in near region 720 and far region 725. Viewed another way, multi-region imaging system 700 provides a single imaging system that is equivalent in performance to another system that uses distinct sets of imaging optics for imaging over non-adjacent, narrow regions in object space. Like phase modifying element 610 (FIG. 6) being broken up into six segments 621A-612F, phase modifying element 710 is shown as segments 712A-712F for illustrative purposes only. That is, phase modifying element 710 may have other configurations, such as curved segments or a continuous aspheric surface.

Still referring to FIG. 7, multi-region imaging system 700 is configured such that the upper half of the aperture (i.e., optics segments 712A and 712B) may be used to image one region in object space and the lower half (i.e., optics segments 712C and 712D) may be used to image another region in object space. While optics segments 712A and 712B are shown as being split into the upper and lower halves of the aperture, it is recognized herein that other configurations are also possible. The corresponding multi-region exit pupil phase may be expressed as:

Phase multi-region(x)=αx ³+Lower(x)/βx ²,  Eq. (8)

where the αx³ term corresponds to a cubic phase term. The term Lower(x) equals zero for the upper half of the aperture (i.e., optics segments 712A and 712B), and unity for the lower half of the aperture (i.e., optics segments 712C and 712D). The term βx² is a focusing or optical power term. The constants α and β may be specified by the designer for a specific system. Comparing the above expression with the phase function for the cubic phase modification given by Eqs. (5) and (6), the expression for multi-region phase contains an extra Lower(x)βx² term, which is specific to a particular section of the aperture.

FIG. 8 shows a plot 800 of an exemplary one dimensional exit pupil phase profile, in accordance with the above multi-region exit pupil phase expression of Eq. (8), with α=5 and β=40. The vertical axis represents aperture phase in radians, while the horizontal axis shows aperture dimension x in arbitrary units. As may be seen in FIG. 7, the aperture phase is zero or less for the upper half of the aperture (i.e., through optics segments 712A and 712B), while the lower half of the aperture (i.e., optics segments 712C and 712D) provides position-dependent phase modification.

An ambiguity function (“AF”) plot 900 related to a diffraction-limited imaging system, such as that exemplified by FIG. 4, is shown in FIG. 9. The horizontal axis (“u-axis”) in plot 900 represents spatial frequency analogous to the spatial frequency axis of an MTF plot. As is known in the art of AF analysis, the vertical axis (“v-axis”) has no direct relationship to the physical imaging system, but the projection of radial slices of the AF onto the horizontal axis may be interpreted as the MTF of this imaging system for varying amounts of misfocus. As is known in the art of AF analysis, darker shades in FIG. 9 represent higher MTF values. In other words, radial cross-sectional slices of the AF yield MTF curves for different values of misfocus and spatial frequency. As is well known in the art, the AF represents a polar display of the MTF as a function of misfocus, and radial lines through an origin 940 of AF plot 900 represent the MTF at varying degrees of misfocus. A radial line with zero slope (e.g., dotted line 910) corresponds to MTF at zero misfocus, radial lines with increasing slopes (e.g., dotted line 920) correspond to the MTF at increasing misfocus, and a vertical line (e.g., dotted line 930) through AF plot 900 corresponds to the through-focus MTF at a particular spatial frequency u. It may be noted that the diffraction-limited AF, as represented by plot 900, is narrow in the vertical direction, thereby indicating high sensitivity of the resulting MTF to misfocus; that is, away from the horizontal radial line corresponding to a zero misfocus value (i.e., dotted line 910), the MTF curves corresponding to AF plot 900 exhibit very sharp peaks with low MTF values away from the sharp peaks, thereby indicating poor imaging quality outside of a very narrow conjugate distance range.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show AF plots 1000 and 1100 for a cubic phase imaging system with α=10 (such as, for example, that shown in FIG. 4 and in accordance with Eqs. (5) and (6)) and for a multi-region imaging system with α=5 and β=40 (e.g., that shown in FIG. 7 and in accordance with Eq. (8)), respectively. In FIG. 10, a slanted radial line 1020 corresponds to the MTF at non-zero misfocus for the cubic phase imaging system, and a vertical line 1030 corresponds to the through-focus MTF at a particular spatial frequency. Similarly, in FIG. 11, a slanted radial line 1120 corresponds to the MTF at non-zero misfocus for the multi-region imaging system, and a vertical line 1130 corresponds to the through-focus MTF at a particular spatial frequency. It may be seen that, in contrast to the diffraction limited imaging system AF plot of FIG. 9, both the cubic phase imaging system and the multi-region imaging system exhibit ambiguity functions with broader dark regions in the vertical direction, corresponding to higher MTF values; that is, rather than a narrow dark line at the zero slope as in AF plot 900, AF plots 1000 and 1100 include broader shaded sections in a horizontal bowtie shape, indicative of higher values over a broader MTF peak corresponding to AF plots 1000 and 1100. In other words, the AF plots of FIGS. 10 and 11 indicate that these imaging systems exhibit good imaging quality even with non-zero misfocus values. It is known that an ambiguity function represents optical MTF, and a system's sensor spatial frequency limit is typically half or less than the system's optical limit; the extent of a typical spatial frequency extent for a digital sensor is indicated by brackets 1035 and 1135 in FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively. Furthermore, AF plot 1100 corresponding to the multi-region imaging system exhibits two clear regions of best focus separated by a “don't care” region (indicated by two dashed ovals 1140A and 1140B).

A number of variations to the multi-region imaging system are possible. While the example illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 11 assumed a rectangularly separable exit pupil phase, other types of phase modification such as, but not limited to, circularly symmetric phase, symmetric phase or non-symmetric exit pupil phase may also be used, according to a desired application. The use of polychromatic (that is, wavelength-dependent) exit pupil phase design is also possible, and the phase modification may be effected by, for instance, phase modulating optics with sub-wavelength features. Alternatively, the phase modification may be implemented using polarization-dependent optical elements.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of an exemplary multi-region imaging system 1200. FIG. 12 is a particular example of the general multi-region imaging system block diagram as shown in FIG. 3. Multi-region imaging system 1200 includes an optics group 1210, which in turn includes a plano/aspheric element 1220(1) at the front of the imaging system, and first and second K5/F2 doublets 1230 and 1240, respectively. Plano/aspheric element 1220(1) may be formed of, for example, poly(methyl methacrylate) (“PMMA”). Plano/aspheric element 1220(1) has an aspheric surface 1292(1), described below; related optical systems utilizing a plano/piano element 1220(2) or modified plano/aspheric elements 1220(3) or 1220(4) in place of element 1220(1) are also described further below. Optics group 1210 is configured to direct incident rays 1250 toward a sensor 1260. Sensor 1260 may be, but not limited to, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) sensor configured for receiving a portion 1265 of incident rays 1250, and for generating image data 1270 (represented by a dark arrow) in response thereto. Image data 1270 may then be received at a processor 1280 for image processing to form, for instance, a human-viewable image and/or a processing result for a task, such as bar code reading. The image processing may utilize information of optics group 1210 to form the human-viewable image and/or the processing result so as to form images that are sharp and clear in best focus regions of a scene imaged thereby, as discussed below.

TABLE 1 Surface Type Radius Thickness Glass Diameter Conic Object Standard Infinity Infinity 0 0 1291 Standard Infinity 0.3804 PMMA 1.347194 0 1292(1)/Stop Evenasph Infinity 0.007652431 1.347194 0 1293 Standard 3.285444 0.8864066 K5 2.48704 0 1294 Standard −2.354398 0.2933432 F2 2.48704 0 1295 Standard −28.18008 2.168189 2.48704 0 1296 Standard 2.883053 0.8417674 K5 2.104418 0 1297 Standard −1.508167 0.242327 F2 2.104418 0 1298 Standard −5.335657 1.551752 2.104418 0 Image Standard Infinity 0.0004286271 0

An exemplary prescription for the various optical surfaces for multi-region imaging system 1200 of FIG. 12 is summarized in TABLE 1, with the different surfaces (i.e., surfaces 1291 through 1298) as labeled in FIG. 12. A radius of curvature value of “infinity” corresponds to a plano surface. Prescription details related to plano/aspheric element 1220 are further discussed immediately hereinafter in the following two examples.

When the multi-region imaging system described in reference to FIG. 12 and TABLE 1 is modified by replacing plano/aspheric element 1220(1) with a plano/piano element 1220(2) (e.g., element 1220(2) has a second surface 1292(2) with no curvature) providing no phase modulation, then optics group 1210 produces a through-focus MTF curve 1300 at a spatial frequency of 100 line pairs per millimeter (“lp/mm”), as shown in FIG. 13. The resulting imaging system is essentially a traditional imaging system without phase modification or multi-region imaging characteristics. As expected, through-focus MTF curve 1300 exhibits a single best focus peak 1310 with a peak height of approximately 0.8 in normalized units and a narrow peak width 1320 (indicated by a double-headed arrow) and, consequently, a narrow depth of focus.

TABLE 2 SURFACE 1292(1) EVENASPH Coefficient on r2 0 Coefficient on r4 0.012940072 Coefficient on r6 0.33257242 Coefficient on r8 −1.4950249 Coefficient on r10 −0.26830899 Coefficient on r12 8.0415913 Coefficient on r14 −8.6162206

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary aspheric surface 1400 suitable for use as surface 1292(1) of plano/aspheric element 1220(1) in multi-region imaging system 1200 of FIG. 12. Aspheric coefficients corresponding to aspheric surface 1400 are summarized in TABLE 2. With the inclusion of aspheric surface 1400 as surface 1292(1) in optics group 1210, a through-focus MTF curve 1500, as shown in FIG. 15, results at a spatial frequency of 100 lp/mm. Through-focus MTF curve 1500 includes first and second best focus regions 1510 and 1515, respectively, and a “don't care” region 1540, that is, through-focus MTF curve 1500 indicates that there is more than one region of focus shifts that correspond to best focus (two regions, in this example). It is understood that each region of best focus corresponds to an object distance range, that is, a range of distance of an object from the multi-region imaging system (e.g., distances of objects 330 and 335 from multi-region optics 310, FIG. 3). All of regions 1510, 1515 and 1540 are indicated by double headed arrows within dashed vertical lines, although it will be appreciated that the boundaries of each region may not be sharply defined. In FIG. 14, since they are separated by region 1540, regions 1510 and 1515 correspond to object distance ranges that are discontiguous. In relation to the example shown in FIG. 1, first best focus region 1510 may correspond to near field imaging of, for example, barcode 30 or a business card (e.g., a conjugate distance of ˜13 to 18 cm), while second best focus region 1515 may correspond to far field imaging used for human viewed portrait imaging (e.g., a conjugate distance of ˜60 cm or greater, such that best focus regions 1510 and 1515 are separated by 40 cm or more). The peak heights of through-focus MTF curve 1500 in first and second best focus regions 1510 and 1515 are both approximately 0.27 in this example, although the peak heights may be adjusted through modification of surface 1292(1), according to the specific application. While the through-focus MTF values in “don't care” region 1540 do not need to be low, the reduced through-focus MTF values in “don't care” region contributes to increased through-focus MTF values in first and second best focus regions 1510 and 1515, respectively, due to the principle of conservation of ambiguity. Also, although the shapes of first and second peaks 1510 and 1515, respectively, are shown as being similar, the peak heights and widths of the first and second peaks may be tailored to meet the specific needs of a given application.

FIGS. 16-19 show diffraction MTF curves for polychromatic (e.g., white) light for optics group 1210 in multi-region imaging system 1200 of FIG. 12, including aspheric surface 1400 of FIG. 14 as surface 1292(1), at different conjugate distances. FIG. 16 shows an MTF curve 1600 for a conjugate distance of infinity, and FIG. 17 shows an MTF curve 1700 for a conjugate distance of 60 cm. It may be noted that the values of MTF curves 1600 and 1700 are quite high through the range of spatial frequencies shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, thereby indicating that multi-region imaging system 1200 exhibits a high MTF value throughout the far field imaging region at conjugate distances of 60 cm or greater (e.g., corresponding to region 1515, FIG. 15). FIG. 18 shows an MTF curve 1800 for a conjugate distance of 25 cm (i.e., in “don't care” region 1540, FIG. 15, between near field and far field); it may be seen that MTF curve 1800 drops off quickly for spatial frequencies above ˜30 or 40 cycles per millimeter, thereby indicating poor image quality in this “don't care” region. Finally, FIG. 19 shows an MTF curve 1900 for a conjugate distance of 15 cm (e.g., corresponding to region 1510, FIG. 15), which is suitable for near field imaging application such as barcode imaging and business card reading. As may be seen in FIG. 19, MTF curve 1900 exhibits relatively high MTF values (e.g., ˜0.2 and higher) throughout the spatial frequency region of interest, thereby indicating good imaging performance even at this near field conjugate distance for the multi-region imaging system including optics group 1210.

TABLE 3 Surface Type Radius Thickness Glass Diameter Conic Object Standard Infinity Infinity 0 0 1291 Standard Infinity 0.3804 PMMA 1.347194 0 1292/Stop Evenasph Infinity 0.07652431 1.347194 0 1293 Standard 3.285444 0.8864066 K5 2.48704 0 1294 Standard −2.354398 0.2933432 F2 2.48704 0 1295 Standard −28.18008 2.168189 2.48704 0 1296 Standard 2.883053 0.8417674 K5 2.104418 0 1297 Standard −1.508167 0.242327 F2 2.104418 0 1298 Standard −5.335657 1.487967 2.104418 0 Image Standard Infinity 0.05080852 0

TABLE 4 SURFACE 1292(3) EVENASPH Coefficient on r2 0 Coefficient on r4 −0.03062278 Coefficient on r6 0.0042801507 Coefficient on r8 0.043959156 Coefficient on r10 0.10487482 Coefficient on r12 −0.073525074 Coefficient on r14 −0.32282005

FIG. 20 shows a through-focus MTF curve 2000, at a spatial frequency of 100 lp/mm, for an alternative imaging system that has been optimized to provide better imaging performance at 25 cm conjugate distance compared to that of the multi-region imaging system whose through-focus MTF curve is shown in FIG. 15. That is, the alternative imaging system essentially includes the components of multi-region imaging system 1200 of FIG. 12 but with a prescription that is summarized in TABLES 3 and 4. The alternative imaging system includes a plano/aspheric element 1220(3), having a second surface 1292(3) with aspheric coefficients summarized in TABLE 4, to provide better imaging performance at 25 cm conjugate distance. It may be noted that through-focus MTF curve 2000 for the alternative multi-region imaging system includes multiple, wide humps rather than a single narrow peak or two distinct peaks as in the previously discussed embodiments. Further differences in system performance may be seen by comparing the polychromatic diffraction MTF curves shown in FIGS. 21-24, for the alternative multi-region imaging system, with those shown in FIGS. 16-19, corresponding to the performance of optics group 1210 of multi-region imaging system 1200 including aspheric surface 1400 as surface 1292(1). FIG. 21 shows an MTF curve 2100 for a conjugate distance of infinity, FIG. 22 shows an MTF curve 2200 for a conjugate distance of 60 cm, FIG. 23 shows an MTF curve 2300 for a conjugate distance of 25 cm, and FIG. 24 shows an MTF curve 2400 for a conjugate distance of 15 cm. In comparing FIGS. 21-24 with earlier described FIGS. 16-19, it may be seen that the MTF curves for the alternative imaging system, while providing slightly better performance at 25 cm, are generally lower across the portrait and bar code regions.

TABLE 5 SURFACE 1292(4) CUSPLINE Zat 1/8 of S-D −0.0010485351 Zat 2/8 of S-D −0.0010594568 Zat 3/8 of S-D −0.00082374686 Zat 4/8 of S-D −0.00057644724 Zat 5/8 of S-D 0 Zat 6/8 of S-D 0 Zat 7/8 of S-D 0 Zat 8/8 of S-D 0

FIG. 25 illustrates another example of an aspheric surface 2500 suitable for use as surface 1292(4) of plano/aspheric element 1220(4) of multi-region imaging system 1200 as shown in FIG. 12. Aspheric terms describing aspheric surface 2500 are summarized in TABLE 5, where the variables are areas of zone and surface forms within each zone; that is, “Z” is the surface height, “S-D” stands for “surface diameter”, and “CUSPLINE” stands for cubic spline. Aspheric surface 2500 may be generally described as a cubic spline over eight regions (divided radially) of an aperture of plano/aspheric element 1220(4). It may be seen that approximately half of aspheric surface 2500 near an outer radius is purposely set to provide zero phase; that is, no new phase is added by Plano/aspheric element 1220(4) in approximately one half of the radius of aspheric surface 2500. In contrast to aspheric surface 1400 of FIG. 14, which is configured for providing a phase modification across an aperture of aspheric surface 1400, aspheric surface 2500 is instead configured to provide a phase contour in a center portion.

FIG. 26 shows a through-focus MTF curve 2600 for optics group 1210 modified with aspheric surface 2500 implemented as surface 1292(4) of plano/aspheric element 1220. Through-focus MTF curve 2600 shows that this system performs as a multi-region imaging system by exhibiting first and second peaks 2610 and 2620, respectively, thereby indicating the system provides good imaging performance for two discontiguous object distance ranges. It may be noted that, while aspheric surfaces 1400 and 2500 of FIGS. 14 and 25, respectively, appear to be very different in shape, the resulting through-focus MTF curves (as shown in FIGS. 15 and 26) are quite similar.

FIGS. 27-30 show polychromatic MTF curves for the same multi-region imaging system whose through-focus performance is shown in FIG. 26. FIG. 27 shows an MTF curve 2700 for a conjugate distance of infinity, FIG. 28 shows an MTF curve 2800 for a conjugate distance of 60 cm, FIG. 29 shows an MTF curve 2900 for a conjugate distance of 25 cm, and FIG. 30 shows an MTF curve 3000 for a conjugate distance of 16 cm. The MTF curves are high at infinity and 60 cm (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28) as well as at 16 cm (e.g., as shown in FIG. 30). The MTF curve is low at 25 cm, FIG. 29. Again, such a multi-region imaging system may perform well in applications like those described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2.

TABLE 6 Thick- Surface Type Radius ness Glass Diameter Conic Object Standard Infinity Infinity 0 0 3191/ Evenasph −3.248996 1.26 Acrylic 1.4 0 Stop 3192 Evenasph −1.816729 0.59 2.1 0 3193 Evenasph 17.63372 1.36 Acrylic 2.28 0 3194 Evenasph 4.099447 0.45 2.62 0 3195 Standard 2.526797 1.49 Acrylic 2.28 0 3196 Standard 1.501278 1.097 1.6 0 3197 Standard Infinity 0.56 AF45 1.4768 0 3198 Standard Infinity 0.444 1.4768 0 Image Standard Infinity 0.01971329 0

TABLE 5 EVENASPH SURFACE 3191 Coefficient on r2 −0.10705732 Coefficient on r4 −0.056828607 Coefficient on r6 0.01926084 Coefficient on r8 −0.0082999141 SURFACE 3192 Coefficient on r2 −0.091811456 Coefficient on r4 0.037117963 SURFACE 3193 Coefficient on r2 −0.11868423 Coefficient on r4 0.53930859 Coefficient on r6 −0.010193681 SURFACE 3194 Coefficient on r2 −0.27850876

FIG. 31 shows another embodiment of a multi-region imaging system 3100. Multi-region imaging system 3100 is different from multi-region imaging system 1200 system of FIG. 12 in a number of ways. First, plano/aspheric element 1220 is not present in optics group 3110 of multi-region imaging system 3100. Instead, optics group 3110 includes first, second, third and fourth optical elements 3120, 3130, 3140 and 3150, respectively. Optical prescriptions describing surfaces 3191 through 3198 of optics group 3110 are summarized in TABLES 6 and 7.

While the configuration of multi-region imaging system 1200 implemented an exit pupil phase function designed for specific performance at a single wavelength (e.g., a “monochromatic exit pupil”) to achieve the multi-region imaging effect, multi-region imaging system 3100 is configured to implement an exit pupil phase function that achieves multi-region imaging effects in the polychromatic through-focus MTF performance of this system (e.g., a “polychromatic exit pupil”), as shown in FIG. 32. Like through-focus MTF curves 1500 of FIGS. 15 and 2600 of FIG. 26, a through-focus MTF curve 3200 resulting from optics group 3110 features distinct, first and second peaks 3210 and 3220, respectively, that correspond to discontiguous object distance ranges.

Monochromatic through-focus MTF curves that contribute to polychromatic through-focus MTF curve 3200 are shown in FIGS. 33-35, shown here to further illustrate the operation of multi-region imaging system 3000. A monochromatic through-focus MTF curve 3300 for blue illumination is shown in FIG. 33. A monochromatic through-focus MTF curve 3400 for green illumination is shown in FIG. 34. Finally, a monochromatic through-focus MTF curve 3500 for red illumination is shown in FIG. 35. Monochromatic through-focus MTF curves 3300, 3400 and 3500 for blue, green and red illuminations are very similar in shape, with the position of the peaks being shifted according to wavelength. However, while each of the monochromatic through-focus MTF curves of FIGS. 33-35 exhibits only a single region of best focus, polychromatic through-focus MTF curve 3200, which represents a combination of all monochromatic through-focus MTF curves, illustrates that multi-region imaging system 3100 does indeed demonstrate multi-region imaging characteristics.

Polychromatic MTF curves for multi-region imaging system 3100 are shown in FIGS. 36-39 for different conjugate distances. FIG. 36 shows a polychromatic MTF curve 3600 for a conjugate distance of infinity, FIG. 37 shows a polychromatic MTF curve 3700 for a conjugate distance of 60 cm, FIG. 38 shows a polychromatic MTF curve 3800 for a conjugate distance of 25 cm, and FIG. 39 shows a polychromatic MTF curve 3900 for a conjugate distance of 15 cm. It may be seen that the MTF curves at infinity and 60 cm are high (i.e., as shown by polychromatic MTF curves 3600 and 3700) as is the MTF curve at 15 cm (i.e., polychromatic MTF curve 3900). The MTF at 25 cm is low (i.e., polychromatic MTF curve 3800), which is fine since this conjugate distance falls in the “don't care” region. These polychromatic MTF curves over object distance are similar to those corresponding to multi-region imaging systems including aspheric surfaces shown in FIGS. 14 and 25, although the system of FIG. 30 is designed in a completely different method; that is, manipulation of a polychromatic exit pupil is an alternative method that may be used in designing multi-region imaging systems.

Yet another method of realizing a multi-region imaging system is by incorporating sub-wavelength features into the imaging system. Suitable sub-wavelength features may be in the form of, for instance, diffractive features, refractive index variations within a material, or metamaterials. Such sub-wavelength features may be placed on a surface of an element in the optics group of, for example, multi-region imaging system 1200 or multi-region imaging system 3100. Sub-wavelength features may also be implemented not as surface features but as refractive index variation in non-homogenous, volumetric optical designs. When implemented as refractive index variation, stray light issues in high intensity illumination environments may be considerably reduced compared to those present when using sub-wavelength surface features.

FIG. 40 shows a block diagram of an exemplary multi-region imaging system 4000 including sub-wavelength features. Multi-region imaging system 4000 includes an optics group 4010, which in turn includes sub-wavelength feature optics 4012 and, optionally, additional imaging optics 4014. In practice, sub-wavelength feature optics 4012 and imaging optics 4014 may be combined, for example, into a monolithic and/or volumetric non-homogenous optical structure.

FIG. 41 shows an exemplary sub-wavelength feature profile 4100 for phase height from 0 to λ/2. The vertical axis represents phase in units of radians, while the horizontal axis represents distance across an aperture of sub-wavelength feature optics 4012. Such a profile may be used to modulate the exit pupil of the imaging system in order to achieve multi-region imaging characteristics. In the exemplary profile shown in FIG. 41, the largest phase in radians is on the order of π, which is equivalent to λ/2 where λ is a central illumination wavelength. Sub-wavelength feature profile 4100 is substantially equivalent to a lens focusing surface modulo λ/2. The power of the lens may then be used as a design variable. The profile is then describable by the following equation:

phase(r)=mod(αr ²,π),  Eq. (9)

where r denotes radius across the aperture and α is another design variable. The example shown in FIG. 41 has α=30 and r=linspace(−1,1,501), where “linspace” is a function in MATLAB® for generating linearly-spaced vectors.

FIG. 42 shows an AF plot 4200 corresponding to the combination of a diffraction-limited imaging system and sub-wavelength feature profile 4100 of FIG. 41. Multi-region imaging characteristics are clearly indicated by two distinct dark regions in AF plot 4200; a first region 4210 is manifest as a dark, horizontal streak, and a second region 4220 is shown as a slanted streak at an angle with respect to first region 4210. When AF plot 4200 is compared with AF plots 1000 and 1100 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively, it may be noted that first and second regions 4210 and 4220 are narrow compared to the broad, dark regions of AF plots 1000 and 1100. If a phase modifying element, such as a plano/aspheric element including one of aspheric surfaces 1400 and 2500, were incorporated into optics group 4010, then optics group 4010 may be configured to exhibit a similar increased depth of field as the multi-region imaging systems corresponding to AF plots 1000 and 1100. If optics group 4010 were configured to provide increased depth of field, then first and second regions 4210 and 4220, respectively, of AF plot 4200 for the resulting multi-region imaging system would be broader than those shown in FIG. 42.

TABLE 8 AsphereSag = 0 RD NR Amp C n Amp*OctSag 1 1 −1 × 10−3 0 0 terms α1 α2 α3 α4 α5 α6 −64.728151 −25.528684 838.61428 −901.60107 −545.50556 −1625.1365 α7 α8 α9 α10 α11 α12 3287.9754 0 0 0 0 0 β1 β2 β3 β4 β5 β6 4 6 8 10 12 14 β7 β8 β9 β10 β11 β12 16 0 0 0 0 0

Multi-region exit pupils may be designed to be circularly symmetric, non-circularly symmetric or non-symmetric. A symmetric but not circular design, such as those described in the aforementioned PCT patent application serial number PCT/US07/69573, may also be used. An example of the use of such a surface is illustrated in FIGS. 43-48. TABLE 8 shows various aspheric terms that define an exit pupil surface sag 4300, shown in FIG. 43. Surface sag 4300 may be incorporated in a multi-region imaging system, such as that shown in FIG. 12 at surface 2. A polychromatic through-focus MTF curve 4400 for a multi-region imaging system including surface sag 4300 is shown in FIG. 44. Like through-focus MTF curves (see FIG. 15) of the previously discussed multi-region imaging system, MTF curve 4400 includes two peaks in regions 4410 and 4415, separated by a “don't care” region 4440. Polychromatic through-focus MTF curves at a variety of object distances for this system are shown in FIGS. 45-48. MTF curves 4500 and 4600 (FIGS. 45 and 46) at infinity and 60 cm, respectively, are high as is MTF curve 4800 at 15 cm (FIG. 48). MTF curve 4700 at 25 cm shown in FIG. 47 is low.

Yet another type of multi-region imaging system is a spatially varying multi-region imaging system, which involves the introduction of an optical path length difference (“OPD”) into a portion of the aperture of an imaging system. As an exemplary scenario for application of a spatially varying multi-region imaging system, FIG. 49 shows a scene 4900 as seen from the inside of an automobile. It may be noted that objects far from the automobile, such as a street sign 4910, are generally in an upper region of scene 4900 as seen through a windshield 4920 (represented by a rectangle surrounding a portion of scene 4900) and over a car hood 4930.

One way to accurately image windshield 4920 itself as well as street sign 4910 with a single imaging system in a single exposure is to use a multi-region imaging system. In such an automotive application, it may not be necessary to clearly image windshield 4920 in its entirety; for example, one portion of a suitable multi-region imaging system may be configured to image an upper region of scene 4900 for recognition of far away objects, such as street sign 4910, while another portion is configured for imaging a small portion of windshield 4920 for detecting, for instance, dirt or rain on the windshield.

FIG. 50 shows a block diagram of an OPD-modifying imaging system 5000, in accordance with an embodiment, including OPD-modifying optics 5010 (with optical axis 5015) for imaging a far object 5020, disposed far enough away from imaging optics 5010 such that it is effectively located at infinity, at a sensor 5030. OPD-modifying optics 5010 also image a near object 5040 at sensor 5030. In conventional imaging systems, if the imaging optics are first configured to focus at an object closer than effective infinity (e.g., near object 5040), any adjustment to re-focus the imaging optics at an object at infinity always forces the movement of the imaging plane (and thus the sensor) farther away from the imaging optics. OPD-modifying optics 5010, however, include an OPD-modifying optical configuration that allows OPD-modifying optics 5010 to simultaneously focus far object 5020 at the same imaging plane as near object 40. That is, OPD-modifying optics 5010 requires the imaging plane (and thus sensor 5030) to move closer to optics 5010 to focus far object 5020 on a portion of sensor 5030 while keeping near object 5040 in focus at the same imaging plane. Put another way, OPD-modifying optics 5010 require a sensor translation that moves in the opposite direction, as compared to a conventional design, to bring an infinity object to focus. An example of OPD-modifying imaging system 5000 is discussed in detail immediately hereinafter.

TABLE 9 Surface Type Radius Thickness Glass Diameter Conic Object Standard Infinity Infinity 0 0 Stop Standard Infinity  0.007652431 1.347194 0 5191 Standard 3.285444 0.8864066 K5 2.48704 0 5192 Standard −2.354398 02933432 F2 2.48704 0 5193 Standard −28.18008 2.168189  2.48704 0 5194 Standard 2.883053 0.8417674 K5 2.104418 0 5195 Standard −1.508167 0.242327  F2 2.104418 0 5196 Standard −5.335657 1.6077   2.104418 0 Image Standard Infinity 0.0004286271 0

FIG. 51 shows a block diagram of a spatially varying multi-region imaging system 5100, in accordance with an embodiment. Multi-region imaging system 5100 includes an aperture 5110 that limits rays 1250 entering imaging optics 5120. Imaging optics 5120 include a first doublet 5125 (including surfaces 5191, 5192 and 5193) and a second doublet 5135 (including surfaces 5194, 5195 and 5196). Imaging optics 5120 are configured for focusing light rays 5140 (encircled by a dashed oval) at a sensor 5150. TABLE 9 summarizes an exemplary optical prescription of the various components of multi-region imaging system 5100.

Still referring to FIG. 51, a portion 5160 (indicated by a dot-dash oval) of light rays 5140 traverses an OPD-modifying element 5170 before portion 5160 is incident on sensor 5150. In effect, the spatially varying characteristics of multi-region imaging system 5100 are implemented by OPD-modifying element 5170, which intersects portion 5160 of light rays 5140 such that OPD-modifying element 5170 affects only the spatial field points across an object imaged onto a bottom half 5175 (indicated by a bracket) of sensor 5150. Sensor 5150 then converts light rays 5140 received thereon into electronic data 5180 (represented by an arrow) directed to a processor 5190 for processing, such as production of a human viewable image or generation of a task-based result. Processor 5190 may also utilize information of optics 5120 and OPD-modifying element 5170 to optimize processing such that images generated from each of the bottom and top halves of sensor 5150 are clear and sharp. Alternatively, processor 5190 may be configured to process information from bottom and top halves of sensor 5190 differently, in order to perform two different tasks according to information received at the bottom and top halves of sensor 5190.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 51, in one embodiment, OPD-modifying element 5170 may be a plane parallel plate that acts to increase the optical path difference for some field points, thereby effectively changing the region of best focus for the affected field points. OPD-modifying element 5170 may be, for instance, a plano/plano BK7 optical element of thickness 0.831 mm. OPD-modifying optical element 5170 may be additionally configured, for example, to correct for aberrations and/or to control chief ray angles for certain light rays imaged at sensor 5150. As another example, by adding optical power to OPD-modifying element 5170, the effective focal length and magnification of a part of the image at sensor 5150 may be modified simultaneously.

FIG. 52 shows a polychromatic diffraction MTF curve 5200 for bottom half 5175 of multi-region imaging system 5100 for an object at infinity (e.g., a street sign as seen from inside an automobile) for a spatial frequency of 100 lp/mm. Monochromatic diffraction MTF curves would look similar to polychromatic diffraction MTF curve 5200, because OPD-modifying element 5170 is assumed to be achromatic. Similarly, FIG. 53 shows a polychromatic diffraction MTF curve 5300 for bottom half 5175 of multi-region imaging system 5100 for an object at 5 cm (e.g., at an automobile windshield) at a spatial frequency of 100 lp/mm. It may be seen that bottom half 5175 exhibits a broad MTF curve for the object at infinity while providing only a narrow MTF peak for the object at 5 cm, thereby indicating that bottom half 5175 provides good imaging for objects at infinity while being a poor imager of close objects. That is, for example, dirt or debris on the windshield should minimally affect the imaging performance at infinity through bottom half 5175.

In contrast, FIGS. 54 and 55 show polychromatic diffraction MTF curves 5400 and 5500, respectively, for a top portion (i.e., the portion unaffected by OPD-modifying element 5170) of multi-region imaging system 5100 for objects located at infinity and at 5 cm, respectively, at a spatial frequency of 100 lp/mm. By comparing MTF curves 5200 and 5300 with 5400 and 5500, respectively, it may be seen that the top portion of multi-region imaging system 5100 provides poor imaging performance for far away objects while exhibiting good imaging characteristics for near objects. MTF curves at the top half of the image are very poor for an object at infinity, and are ideal for the windshield location. In other words, the top portion of multi-region imaging system, without OPD-modifying element 5170, provides an image of the windshield with good imaging quality.

FIG. 56 shows plots of two through focus MTF curves for different portions of multi-region imaging system 5100 for a spatial frequency of 100 lp/mm. A first through focus MTF curve 5610 corresponds to the through focus MTF performance obtained at sensor 5150 without transmission through OPD-modifying element 5170. That is, first through focus MTF curve 5610 corresponds to performance of a near-field image (e.g., a conjugate distance of 5 cm). A second through focus MTF curve 5620 corresponds to the through focus MTF performance obtained at sensor 5150 in bottom half 5175 (i.e., the infinity focused portion of the image). A 0.25 mm focus bias has been introduced to improve clarity.

Multi-region imaging system 5100 may be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, OPD-modifying element 5170 may be implemented as an extra piece of transmissive material disposed directly on a cover glass of sensor 5150. Alternatively, OPD-modifying element 5170 may be configured from multiple pieces of glass of varying thickness with each piece covering a part of an active region of the sensor, thereby providing spatially-varying imaging. As another example, OPD-modifying element 5170 may be attached to a sensor cover glass with, for instance, a polymer bonder directly onto the cover glass or with stand-off posts for providing an air gap between OPD-modifying element 5170 and the sensor cover glass. In another embodiment, OPD-modifying element 5170 may be formed of an aspheric shape. A molded aspheric element may be further configured to correct, for instance, aberrations, chief ray angle and intersecting focal length. As yet another alternative, OPD-modifying element 5170 may be configured to have a uniform thickness but a refractive index profile that varies across an aperture of the element. The effect provided by an OPD-modifying element may also be distributed across multiple optical surfaces and/or cover glasses within an optical prescription of optics 5120. As yet another alternative, an OPD-modifying element may be configured as a part of a spacer wafer in a wafer-level optical system. Furthermore, the refractive index and the coefficient of thermal expansion of an OPD-modifying element and a cover plate may be matched.

FIGS. 57-62 show various configurations of glass suitable for use as OPD-modifying element 5170 in relation to sensor 5150. In each of FIGS. 57-62, sensor 5150 is shown to include a photosensitive region 5705 (indicated by a dashed rectangle) partially obscured by a piece of glass (indicated by a shaded region); the glass takes on various shapes in FIGS. 57-62. In FIG. 57, a configuration 5710 includes a rectangular OPD-modifying element 5720 that covers a portion of photosensitive region 5705. As discussed earlier, rectangular OPD-modifying element 5720 is configured to cooperate with imaging optics 5120 to provide good imaging performance of far away objects but not near objects. The portion of photosensitive region 5705 that is not covered by rectangular OPD-modifying element 5720 cooperates with imaging optics 5120 to provide good imaging performance of near objects.

FIG. 58 shows another configuration 5810 of an OPD-modifying element 5820 including a rectangular cut-out 5830 in the lower right hand corner. FIG. 59 shows still another configuration 5910 of an OPD-modifying element 5920 including a rectangular cut-out 5930 in a lower, center portion. Another configuration 6010 shown in FIG. 60 includes an OPD-modifying element 6020 with a rectangular cut-out 6030 in the center of sensor 5150. Still another configuration 6110 of FIG. 61 includes an OPD-modifying element 6120 with a semi-circular cut-out 6130 in a lower, center portion. Alternatively, a configuration 6210 of FIG. 62 includes an OPD-modifying element 6220 with a trapezoidal cut-out 6230 in a lower, center portion. The specific shape of cut-outs 5830, 5930, 6030, 6130 and 6230 may be configured according to a particular application, such as an amount of sensitivity required for imaging near objects. Additionally, a thickness and shape of OPD-modifying elements 5720, 5820, 5920, 6020, 6120 and 6220 may be designed according to a desired amount of back focal distance and/or optical track modification.

FIGS. 63-75 illustrate exemplary configurations of OPD-modifying elements suitable for use in accordance with embodiments described herein. FIG. 63 shows a configuration 6300 including a sensor cover glass 6305 with an OPD-modifying element 6320 disposed in direct contact thereon. OPD-modifying element 6320 may be, for example, a piece of borosilicate glass with a thickness of ˜1.16 millimeters. As an alternative, a configuration 6400 includes a standoff arrangement 6410 introduced between sensor cover glass 6305 and OPD-modifying element 6320 so as to provide an air gap 6440 therebetween. Air gap 6440 may be, for example, between 10 to 30% of a thickness of OPD-modifying element 6320.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 63 and 64, a vertical edge 6325 of OPD-modifying element 6320 may be problematic in certain situations, such as under bright light conditions in which light scattering off of vertical edge 6325 may generate undesirable stray light at the sensor. One way to mitigate such stray light is by providing a light blocking treatment (e.g., black paint, a black material or black fabric) or a light scattering treatment (e.g., sanding) at vertical edge 6325. Alternatively, rather than using a single piece of thick glass as the OPD-modifying element, a plurality of thin pieces of glass may be used as shown in FIG. 65. For example, the plurality of thin pieces of glass may be bonded together with an index matching bonding material. A configuration 6500 includes an OPD-modifying element 6520, which in turn is formed from a plurality of alternating pieces of large and small, thin layers of glass 6522 and 6524, respectively. By alternating large and small glass pieces 6522 and 6524, the edge of OPD-modifying element 6520 is configured to be jagged, thereby diffusing the reflection of incident light therefrom. As illustrated in configuration 6600 of FIG. 66, an OPD-modifying element 6520 may be separated from sensor cover glass 6305 by a standoff arrangement 6610.

Stray light may also be mitigated by using a slanted edge configuration. FIG. 67 shows a configuration 6700 with an OPD-modifying element 6720, including a slanted edge 6725, disposed directly on a sensor cover glass 6305. FIG. 68 shows a configuration 6800, in which OPD-modifying element 6720 is separated from sensor cover glass 6305 with a spacer arrangement 6810. FIG. 69 shows an alternative configuration 6900 with an OPD-modifying element 6920, including a reduced vertical edge 6925 and a slanted cover 6930 over a portion of sensor cover glass 6305. In configuration 6900, a reduction of the length of vertical edge 6925 combined with slanted cover 6930 further reduce stray light at an optical path length discontinuity across the sensor aperture. FIG. 70 shows another configuration 7000, in which an OPD-modifying element 6920 is separated from sensor cover glass 6305 by a spacer arrangement 7010. FIG. 71 shows another configuration 7100 in which an OPD-modifying element 7120 includes a smooth transition 7125 from a thick portion 7127 to a thin portion 7130, thereby eliminating the sharp discontinuity in optical path length and reducing stray light, where additionally the best focus region will track variation in distance to a windshield (e.g., when utilized in camera 75, FIG. 2). FIG. 72 shows a configuration 7200, in which OPD-modifying element 7120 is separated from sensor cover glass 6305 by a spacer arrangement 7210. FIG. 73 shows another configuration 7300, which features an OPD-modifying element 7320 with a rounded transition 7325 providing a smooth transition from a thick portion 7327 to a thin portion 7330 across an aperture of OPD-modifying element 7320. FIG. 74 shows a configuration 7400, in which OPD-modifying element 7320 is separated from sensor cover glass 6305 by a spacer arrangement 7410. Finally, FIG. 75 shows a configuration 7500 with an OPD-modifying element 7520 including a plurality of grooves 7530 to act as “light traps” for reducing stray light. Grooves 7530 may be formed, for example, by attaching a plurality of thin wires 7540 along one edge of OPD-modifying element 7520. Grooves 7530, and optionally thin wires 7540, may be painted black to further reduce unwanted light reflection.

There are many design methods that may be used to achieve multi-region imaging systems. Six examples were described. Aspects of each of these examples may be combined, by those skilled in the art of optical/digital imaging systems, to form new systems within the scope hereof.

Some possible combinations of features for the multi-region imaging system are:

-   -   1. OPD-modifying optics+digital signal processing (“DSP”) for         two or more best focus imaging regions;     -   2. OPD-modifying optics+DSP for two or more best focus imaging         regions for human viewed systems;     -   3. OPD-modifying optics+DSP for task based imaging over two or         more best focus imaging regions;     -   4. OPD-modifying optics for forming two or more best focus         imaging regions where the through focus MTF related to at least         one region is broader, or has an extended depth of field, than         without the OPD-modifying optics;     -   5. OPD-modifying optics from 4 that include continuous phase         modifications;     -   6. OPD-modifying optics from 4 that include discontinuous phase         optics;     -   7. OPD-modifying optics from 4 that use specially designed         chromatic aberration;     -   8. OPD-modifying optics from 4 that use sub-wavelength phase         variations;     -   9. OPD-modifying optics+DSP for two or more best focus imaging         regions for mobile phone applications;     -   10. OPD-modifying optics+DSP for task based imaging over two or         more best focus imaging regions for automotive applications;     -   11. OPD-modifying optics from 4 that are illumination dependent.     -   12. OPD-modifying sensors (electronics+package+cover glass) for         multi-region imaging;     -   13. Use of 12 for automobile applications; and     -   14. OPD-modifying multi-region imaging where spatial changes in         focus at the image plane are realized.

The changes described above, and others, may be made in the imaging system described herein without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between. 

1. An imaging system, comprising: OPD-modifying optics and a sensor array, the OPD-modifying optics forming an optical image at the sensor array, the sensor array converting the optical image to a data stream; and a digital signal processor for processing the data stream to generate a final image; the OPD-modifying optics providing a first region in the optical image that is characterized by a first range of best focus and a second region in the optical image that is characterized by a second range of best focus, the first range and the second range corresponding to object distance ranges that are discontiguous.
 2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the digital signal processor is further configured for generating the final image as one of a human viewable image and a machine viewable image.
 3. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the OPD-modifying optics impart at least one of a continuous phase modification, a discontinuous phase modification, a predetermined chromatic aberration and an illumination-dependent phase modification, to provide the first region and the second region.
 4. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the OPD-modifying optics comprise at least one of a molded material, an optical element including subwavelength phase modifying features and a material including refractive index variation therein.
 5. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the OPD-modifying optics comprise at least one of a transparent plate covering a portion of the sensor array, an aspheric element and a power-providing optical element.
 6. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the OPD-modifying optics provide spatial changes in focus at the optical image.
 7. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the digital signal processor utilizes information of the optics to process portions of the data stream corresponding to the first and second regions differently to generate the final image.
 8. In an imaging system including imaging optics and a sensor array, an improvement comprising: an OPD-modifying element disposed within the imaging system and intersecting at least a portion of electromagnetic energy incident on the sensor array, such that the optical element cooperates with the imaging optics and the sensor array to form a first image portion and a second image portion from the electromagnetic energy, the first image portion being in focus over a first conjugate distance range and the second image portion being in focus over a second conjugate distance range, the two conjugate distance ranges being separated by at least 40 cm.
 9. In a method of imaging utilizing imaging optics and a sensor array, an improvement comprising: configuring the imaging optics such that electromagnetic energy transmitted through the imaging optics and incident on the sensor array forms an image that is in focus over at least two conjugate distance ranges for two respective portions of the image, the two conjugate distance ranges being separated by at least 40 cm.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein configuring comprises incorporating a phase modifying element into the imaging optics to generate the two respective portions of the image.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the phase modifying element imparts at least one of a continuous phase modification, a discontinuous phase modification, a predetermined chromatic aberration and illumination-dependent phase modification.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein incorporating the phase modifying element comprises integrating, into the imaging optics, at least one of a transparent plate covering a portion of the sensor array, an aspheric element and a power-providing optical element.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein incorporating the phase modifying element comprises integrating, into the imaging optics, at least one of a molded material, an optical element including subwavelength phase modifying features and a material including refractive index variation therein.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein incorporating the phase modifying element comprises arranging the phase modifying element for providing spatial changes in focus at an image plane of the imaging system. 